The many advantages of hemp fibers are hard to ignore. Hemp cloth is stronger, longer lasting, more resistant to mildew, and cheaper to produce than cloth made of cotton. In fact, the original Levi Strauss jeans were even made from a hempen canvas. Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition and some samples have survived more than 1,500 years. Hemp products, such as ropes and nets, are famous for their strength and durability and were some of the very first items ever made from the plant. There are also environmental benefits to using hemp fiber. Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides, and produces more pulp per acre than timber on a sustainable basis.